Model for a community-based exercise program for cancer survivors: taking patient care to the next level

The 24-Hour Movement Paradigm: An integrated approach to the measurement and promotion of daily activity in cancer clinical trials

Increased physical activity (PA), improved sleep, and decreased sedentary behavior (SB) are essential components of supportive care for cancer survivors. However, researchers and health care professionals have achieved limited success in improving these behaviors among cancer survivors. One potential reasoning is that, over the past two decades, guidelines for promoting and measuring PA, sleep, and SB have been largely siloed. With greater understanding of these three behaviors, health behavior researchers have recently developed a new paradigm: the 24-Hour movement approach. This approach considers PA, SB, and sleep as movement behaviors along a continuum that represent low through vigorous intensity activity. Together these three behaviors form the sum of an individual's movement across a 24-hour day. While this paradigm has been studied in the general population, its usage is still limited in cancer populations. Here, we seek to highlight (a) the potential benefits of this new paradigm for clinical trial design in oncology; (b) how this approach can allow for greater integration of wearable technology as a means of assessing and monitoring patient health outside the clinical setting, improving patient autonomy through self-monitoring of movement behavior. Ultimately, implementation of the 24-Hour movement paradigm will allow health behavior research in oncology to better promote and assess critical health behaviors to support the long-term well-being for cancer patients and survivors.

Community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors: A scoping review of program characteristics using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of exercise programs for cancer survivors conducted outside of a research laboratory (i.e., home-based, or community-based settings).

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of published literature was conducted using Medline, Pubmed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, SPORTdiscus, and Embase from 1980 to January 2021. Where conference abstracts were identified, authors were contacted for other articles.

STUDY SELECTION

Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and full texts of potentially relevant studies with discrepancies resolved by discussion. Included studies were reports of exercise programs or interventions in which participants exercise at home, or in a community-based setting, and including individuals diagnosed with cancer either undergoing treatment or who had completed treatment.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted using the Oxford Implementation Index and coded under the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Extraction and coding were completed by two independent reviewers, with discrepancies resolved through discussion. Data were synthesized narratively according to CFIR.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 58 publications describing 34 individual programs from around the world were included. Of these, only 14 publications had the specific goal of reporting on program implementation and development. A variety of intervention characteristics and characteristics of individuals involved in the intervention were described. Reporting of factors related to the CFIR domains of inner setting, outer setting and implementation process were minimal.

CONCLUSIONS

This review summarizes the characteristics of existing programs that have been reported in the literature and finds that partnerships and collaboration in the inner and outer setting, and as part of the process of implementation. This review highlights key knowledge gaps to be answered in order to support the development of future community-based interventions.

Exercise interventions for people diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review of implementation outcomes

PURPOSE

Exercise is efficacious for people living after a cancer diagnosis. However, implementation of exercise interventions in real-world settings is challenging. Implementation outcomes are defined as 'the effects of deliberate and purposive actions to implement new treatments, practices, and services'. Measuring implementation outcomes is a practical way of evaluating implementation success. This systematic review explores the implementation outcomes of exercise interventions evaluated under real-world conditions for cancer care.

METHODS

Using PRISMA guidelines, an electronic database search of Medline, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Web of Science, SportsDiscus, Scopus and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and February 2020. The Moving through Cancer registry was hand searched. The Implementation Outcomes Framework guided data extraction. Inclusion criteria were adult populations with a cancer diagnosis. Efficacy studies were excluded.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven articles that described 31 unique programs met the inclusion criteria. Implementation outcomes commonly evaluated were feasibility (unique programs n = 17, 54.8%) and adoption (unique programs n = 14, 45.2%). Interventions were typically delivered in the community (unique programs n = 17, 58.6%), in groups (unique programs n = 14, 48.3%) and supervised by a qualified health professional (unique programs n = 14, 48.3%). Implementation outcomes infrequently evaluated were penetration (unique programs n = 1, 3.2%) and sustainability (unique programs n = 1, 3.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise studies need to measure and evaluate implementation outcomes under real-world conditions. Robust measurement and reporting of implementation outcomes can help to identify what strategies are essential for successful implementation of exercise interventions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding how exercise interventions can be successful implemented is important so that people living after a cancer diagnosis can derive the benefits of exercise.

Hospital Partnerships for Population Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. healthcare system continues to experience high costs and suboptimal health outcomes that are largely influenced by social determinants of health. National policies such as the Affordable Care Act and value-based payment reforms incentivize healthcare systems to engage in strategies to improve population health. Healthcare systems are increasingly expanding or developing new partnerships with community-based organizations to support these efforts. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature in the United States to identify examples of hospital-community partnerships; the main purposes or goals of partnerships; study designs used to assess partnerships; and potential outcomes (e.g., process- or health-related) associated with partnerships. Using robust keyword searches and a thorough reference review, we identified 37 articles published between January 2008 and December 2019 for inclusion. Most studies employed descriptive study designs (n = 21); health needs assessments were the most common partnership focus (n = 15); and community/social service (n = 21) and public health organizations (n = 15) were the most common partner types. Qualitative findings suggest hospital-community partnerships hold promise for breaking down silos, improving communication across sectors, and ensuring appropriate interventions for specific populations. Few studies in this review reported quantitative findings. In those that did, results were mixed, with the strongest support for improvements in measures of hospitalizations. This review provides an initial synthesis of hospital partnerships to address population health and presents valuable insights to hospital administrators, particularly those leading population health efforts.

Barriers to physical activity participation in colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy treatment: A qualitative study

PURPOSE

To explore the barriers that colorectal cancer patients (stage II and III) perceive to participate in physical activity (PA) when involved in adjuvant chemotherapy. Views of relatives and physicians concerning this issue were also included.

METHOD

Qualitative data from ten patients, ten relatives, and ten health professionals were obtained through semi-structured interviews (n = 30).

RESULTS

Two main themes were identified after data analysis: (a) barriers to PA related to ostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy and (b) barriers related to perceived lack of support for PA. In regard to the first theme, participants reported difficulties associated with the ostomy, limitations of the intravenous chemotherapy device, fatigue and reduced physical fitness, and focusing on cancer and restructuring priorities. Concerning the perceived lack of support for PA, participants referred to their families' overprotection, the health professionals' lack of knowledge and time to prescribe PA, and the lack of PA services in health centres.

CONCLUSIONS

Further information from health professionals about the recommendations of PA and its benefits during adjuvant chemotherapy could palliate these PA barriers. The offer of specific PA programmes for these patients is also recommended.

Facilitators and barriers to participation in lifestyle modification for men with prostate cancer: A scoping review

PURPOSE

Diet and physical activity changes have been shown to improve quality of life and health outcomes for prostate cancer (PC) survivors; however, few survivors make lifestyle changes. We aimed to identify PC-specific facilitators and barriers to dietary and physical activity changes and participation in survivorship-based lifestyle management programmes.

METHODS

A scoping review investigating facilitators and barriers of PC survivor's participation in lifestyle management programmes was conducted in June 2018. A total of 454 studies were identified, 45 studies were assessed in full, and 16 were included in the scoping review.

RESULTS

Barriers to lifestyle change included perceived lack of evidence for lifestyle guidelines, treatment side effects, perception of change as unnecessary, time pressure and age. Facilitators for lifestyle change included advice from health professionals, support systems (family and peer), diagnosis as a time for change, lifestyle as a coping strategy to manage side effects and improve well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals, peers and family have a significant role in lifestyle management for PC survivors to facilitate engagement. Specific and clear messaging of the benefits of lifestyle management is warranted. Treatment-related side effects, time pressure, current health perception and age should be considered when developing lifestyle management programmes for PC survivors.

Community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors: a scoping review of practice-based evidence

PURPOSE

Based on randomized controlled trials, exercise is an efficacious strategy to improve quality of life (QOL) among cancer survivors. However, the effectiveness of exercise programs to improve QOL in real-world settings is unknown, as are factors related to external validity. This hinders dissemination and scalability. This scoping review synthesized published research on community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors and reported on the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM).

METHODS

A systematic literature search identified community-based exercise programs for adult cancer survivors (1980-March 2018), that met the following inclusion criteria: at least one face-to-face exercise session, the primary aim of program evaluation (i.e., feasibility/effectiveness), and pre/post measure of QOL. Data were coded using the RE-AIM framework. The effect size was calculated for overall QOL.

RESULTS

Electronic database search yielded 553 articles; 31 studies describing unique programs were included for review. All studies described at least one element of implementation and most (80.6%) reported a significant (p < .05) improvement in at least one subscale, or total QOL. Few studies reported on indicators of reach (16.1%), adoption (6.5%), individual (16.1%), or system-level maintenance (32.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based exercise programs are effective for improving QOL in adult cancer survivors. Recommendations are provided to improve reporting across RE-AIM dimensions, which is an important step to enhance the scalability of programs and thus, the potential for exercise to be fully integrated into system-level standard care for cancer survivors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Community-based exercise programs are a resource to improve QOL for adult cancer survivors.

Effects of the community-based Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program on functional and psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors

PURPOSE

In this study, we examined the effects of a 30-week community-based exercise program on cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and other health-related outcomes in a sample of adults with mixed cancer diagnoses.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study looked at outcomes for participants involved in the Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program in southern Ontario. The program consisted of an initial phase of two supervised sessions weekly for 10 weeks and a transition phase of one supervised session weekly for the subsequent 20 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline and every 10 weeks throughout the intervention, as well as at 16 weeks after program completion.

RESULTS

During a period of 13 months, 229 of the 355 cancer survivors who enrolled in the exercise program consented to participate in the study. Participants attended 71% of the supervised exercise sessions in the initial phase and 49% in the transition phase. From baseline to the end of the initial phase, significant improvements in cancer-related fatigue, 6-minute walk test, social well-being, systolic blood pressure, balance, and physical activity volume were observed. During the transition phase, health-related quality of life and emotional well-being improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cancer-related fatigue and functional aerobic capacity. Several other aspects of well-being in cancer survivors also improved for participants in the program. Community-based cancer exercise programs such as the Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program can improve well-being for cancer survivors and can provide an effective option that enhances sustainability and accessibility to exercise services for this population.

Effects of the community-based Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program on functional and psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors

PURPOSE

In this study, we examined the effects of a 30-week community-based exercise program on cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and other health-related outcomes in a sample of adults with mixed cancer diagnoses.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study looked at outcomes for participants involved in the Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program in southern Ontario. The program consisted of an initial phase of two supervised sessions weekly for 10 weeks and a transition phase of one supervised session weekly for the subsequent 20 weeks. Outcomes were measured at baseline and every 10 weeks throughout the intervention, as well as at 16 weeks after program completion.

RESULTS

During a period of 13 months, 229 of the 355 cancer survivors who enrolled in the exercise program consented to participate in the study. Participants attended 71% of the supervised exercise sessions in the initial phase and 49% in the transition phase. From baseline to the end of the initial phase, significant improvements in cancer-related fatigue, 6-minute walk test, social well-being, systolic blood pressure, balance, and physical activity volume were observed. During the transition phase, health-related quality of life and emotional well-being improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program is associated with clinically meaningful improvements in cancer-related fatigue and functional aerobic capacity. Several other aspects of well-being in cancer survivors also improved for participants in the program. Community-based cancer exercise programs such as the Wellspring Cancer Exercise Program can improve well-being for cancer survivors and can provide an effective option that enhances sustainability and accessibility to exercise services for this population.

Physical activity levels and counseling by health care providers in cancer survivors

Physical activity guidelines for cancer survivors issued by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine emphasize the essential role of a health care provider (HCP) in counseling cancer survivors to achieve healthier lifestyles. However, research has not established whether HCP's recommendations to engage in physical activity are associated with increased physical activity levels of cancer survivors. The study examines this potential association using the 2005 and 2010 National Health Interview Survey data. The final analytic sample consisted of 3320 cancer survivors and 38,955 adults without cancer who reported seeing or talking to a HCP and if or not they had received a physical activity recommendation in the prior year. Consistent with the aforementioned guidelines, physical activity levels were categorized as inactive, insufficiently active, and sufficiently active (i.e., meeting guidelines). Average adjusted predictions and marginal effects were estimated from generalized ordered logit models. Multivariable regressions controlled for socio-demographic and health-related characteristics and survey year. On average, receipt of a HCP's physical activity recommendation was associated with a lower adjusted prevalence of inactivity by 8.3 percentage points and a higher adjusted prevalence of insufficient and sufficient activity by 4.6 and 3.7 percentage points, respectively, regardless of cancer diagnosis (P's<0.05). A HCP's recommendation is associated with higher levels of leisure-time aerobic physical activity among cancer survivors and adults without cancer. The communication between cancer survivors and their HCPs may act as a 'window' of opportunity to increase physical activity levels among the U.S. cancer survivors.

Implementing exercise in cancer care: study protocol to evaluate a community-based exercise program for people with cancer

BACKGROUND

Clinical research has established the efficacy of exercise in reducing treatment-related side-effects and increasing wellbeing in people with cancer. Major oncology organisations have identified the importance of incorporating exercise in comprehensive cancer care but information regarding effective approaches to translating evidence into practice is lacking. This paper describes the implementation of a community-based exercise program for people with cancer and the protocol for program evaluation.

METHODS/DESIGN

The Life Now Exercise program is a community-based exercise intervention designed to mitigate and rehabilitate the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment and improve physical and psychosocial wellbeing in people with cancer. Involvement in the program is open to people with any diagnosis of cancer who are currently receiving treatment or within 2 years of completing treatment. The 3-month intervention consists of twice weekly group-based exercise sessions administered in community exercise clinics under the supervision of exercise physiologists trained to deliver the program. Evaluation of the program involves measures of uptake, safety, adherence and effectiveness (including cost effectiveness) as assessed at the completion of the program and 6 months follow-up.

DISCUSSION

To bridge the gap between research and practice, the Life Now Exercise program was designed and implemented to provide people with cancer access to evidence-based exercise medicine. The framework for program implementation and evaluation offers insight into the development of feasible, generalizable and sustainable supportive care services involving exercise. Community-based exercise programs specifically designed for people with cancer are necessary to facilitate adherence to international guidelines advising patients to participate in high-quality exercise.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12616001669482 (retrospectively registered 5 Dec 2016).

National Dissemination of StrongWomen-Healthy Hearts: A Community-Based Program to Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Midlife and Older Women

OBJECTIVES

We describe the national dissemination of an evidence-based community cardiovascular disease prevention program for midlife and older women using the RE-AIM (reach effectiveness adoption implementation maintenance) framework and share key lessons learned during translation.

METHODS

In a 2010 to 2014 collaboration between the StrongWomen program and the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, we assessed reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance using survey methods, and we assessed effectiveness using a pretest-posttest within-participants design, with weight change as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Overall reach into the population was 15 per 10,000. Of 85 trained leaders, 41 (48%) adopted the program. During the 12-week intervention, weight decreased by 0.5 kilograms, fruit and vegetable intake increased by 2.1 servings per day, and physical activity increased by 1238 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes per week (all P < .001). Average fidelity score was 4.7 (out of possible 5). Eleven of 41 adopting leaders (27%) maintained the program.

CONCLUSIONS

The StrongWomen-Healthy Hearts program can be implemented with high fidelity in a variety of settings while remaining effective. These data provide direction for program modification to improve impact as dissemination continues.

Design and implementation of a community-based exercise program for breast cancer patients

Research has indicated that exercise is critical in the recovery process for breast cancer patients, and yet this evidence has infrequently been translated into sustainable community programming. The present article describes the processes and operations of beauty (the Breast Cancer Patients Engaging in Activity and Undergoing Treatment program). This evidence-based 12-week exercise program, with an optional 12-week maintenance component, is supported by the Wings of Hope Foundation, allowing the program to be delivered at no cost to participants. The program was designed to restore and improve the physical well-being of women living with breast cancer as they undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Evaluations measure safety and adherence to the program and the effects of the program on physiologic and psychological outcomes and quality of life. The beauty program addresses the gap between the level of evidence for the benefits of exercise after a cancer diagnosis and translation of that evidence into community programming by providing an accessible, individualized, and safe physical activity program for women during treatment for breast cancer.

CanWell: meeting the psychosocial and exercise needs of cancer survivors by translating evidence into practice

BACKGROUND

As more evidence emerges to support the incorporation of exercise for cancer survivors to positively affect physical, emotional, and social health, it is imperative that health-care providers use current knowledge to develop evidence-based exercise programs for these patients. Our purpose is to describe the development, implementation, and effectiveness of the CanWell program, an evidence-based, community and partnership-based, exercise, and education program for all people with cancer.

METHODS

Exercise and cancer research was reviewed, summarized, and utilized to develop CanWell. A 12-week, supervised, community-based, exercise, and education program established in collaboration between an acute care hospital, academic center, and a not-for-profit YMCA facility. CanWell participants completed physical and health-related quality of life measures prior to initiating the program and repeated them at 6 and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Following the exercise program, participants reported significant improvements in health-related quality of life, recorded distance ambulated during a 6-min walk test, and total minutes on a treadmill recorded using the standardized exponential exercise protocol treadmill test. Furthermore, no increases in disease burden were identified using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. In addition, no exercise related injuries were reported by CanWell participants.

CONCLUSIONS

As the body of evidence supporting the incorporation of exercise as a standard of care for cancer survivors, it is imperative that care providers use current knowledge to provide opportunities for their patients to exercise in effective exercise programs. CanWell is an example on how collaboration between hospital, university, and community institutions can be used to move research into practice and meet the needs of cancer survivors.

Community-based FitSTEPS for life exercise program for persons with cancer: 5-year evaluation

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of a community-based program of exercise on quality of life (QOL) of persons with cancer over time.

METHODS

Participants were referred by their physician to participate in an individualized program of exercise at one of 14 community centers. The Medical Outcomes Survey, Short Form, version 2.0 (SF-36) was used to assess QOL. Individual participants were monitored for 2 years. Data collection took place at baseline, every 3 months months during year 1, and every 6 months during year 2.

RESULTS

Enrolled participants (n = 701) had been diagnosed with different cancers and were at all stages; 177 completed data collection for 2 years. One-way analysis of variance (n = 177) supported the positive impact of exercise on QOL over time. Significant subscale scores of the SF-36, including Physical Function (F = 2.13, P ≤ .047), Role Physical (F = 3.78, P ≤ .001), Vitality (F = 5.97, P ≤ .001), Social Function (F = 4.46, P ≤ .001), Role Emotional (F = 2.56, P ≤ .01), Mental Health (F = 2.16, P ≤ .05), and General Health (F = 3.42, P ≤ .01), were sustainable over time.

CONCLUSION

This research introduces the concept of a long-term community-based program of individualized exercise as a feasible and effective intervention to improve QOL for persons with all stages of cancer. Improvements, noted at the 3-month time point, appear to be sustainable for extended time (24 months). Attrition is problematic and needs to be addressed. Results from this study have significance for practice recommendations and health policy reimbursement issues.